conventional long form: Kingdom
of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib

Capital:

Rabat. Population: 1.6 million (2005).

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and
Western Sahara

Area:

710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles).

Description:

Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering
Algeria to the east, Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western
Sahara to the southwest and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west
and the Mediterranean to the north.

Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain
range.The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over
3,000m (9,850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open
pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north
coast. Often snow-covered in winter, Morocco's mountains are home to
the country's significant indigenous Berber population.

The long stretch of Atlantic coast down Morocco's western side
features cool breezes and long sandy beaches. It is separated from the
mountainous region by wide swathes of fertile plains. To the north, is
the Mediterranean coast, just a stone's throw from Europe.

In the south of the country, the Sahara is the largest desert in the
world. Far from being featureless, it is dotted with fascinating
traditional villages and cool oases.

Population:

31.6 million (2008).

Languages:

The official language is Arabic.

Climate:

The Moroccan climate varies according to season and region. The
coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern
coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier,
continental climate. In the south of the country, the weather is
very hot and dry throughout most of the year, though temperatures
can drop dramatically at night, especially in the months of December
and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, and
the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a
cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an
average temperature of 21?�C (70??F) in the winter.
Economy - overview:

The service industry, including a booming tourism sector now
worth well over US$2 billion annually, accounts for 60% of the GDP.
Remittances from Moroccans living abroad (mostly in Europe) are
another major source of revenue. With the recent reductions in
public sector employment, unemployment reached the double digits,
and in urban areas is estimated as high as 20%. However,
unemployment dropped slightly in 2008 to an overall rate of 9.6%,
and growth has continued to increase steadily in recent years.

As many as 40% of the working population is still employed in
agriculture, growing cereals, vegetables and citrus fruits, and
fishing remains another vital field. Industry accounts for around a
quarter of GDP, of which the textile and garment industry employs a
rapidly growing number of Moroccan women as well as generating
export income. Mining also generates revenue for Morocco, which is
the world's largest exporter of phosphates. Although Morocco has
small oil and gas reserves, it must import the bulk of its needs.

The Moroccan government entered a free trade agreement with the US
in 2006 and signed a trade agreement with the EU in 1995 to
gradually eliminate tariffs. As of 2005, Morocco became the largest
single recipient of aid from the EU. In 2008, the IMF congratulated
King Mohammed VI and Morocco on being a shining economic light in
the region, making particular mention of its steady and continued
economic growth.

The service industry, including a booming tourism sector now
worth well over US$2 billion annually, accounts for 60% of the GDP.
Remittances from Moroccans living abroad (mostly in Europe) are
another major source of revenue. With the recent reductions in
public sector employment, unemployment reached the double digits,
and in urban areas is estimated as high as 20%. However,
unemployment dropped slightly in 2008 to an overall rate of 9.6%,
and growth has continued to increase steadily in recent years.

As many as 40% of the working population is still employed in
agriculture, growing cereals, vegetables and citrus fruits, and
fishing remains another vital field. Industry accounts for around a
quarter of GDP, of which the textile and garment industry employs a
rapidly growing number of Moroccan women as well as generating
export income. Mining also generates revenue for Morocco, which is
the world's largest exporter of phosphates. Although Morocco has
small oil and gas reserves, it must import the bulk of its needs.

The Moroccan government entered a free trade agreement with the US
in 2006 and signed a trade agreement with the EU in 1995 to
gradually eliminate tariffs. As of 2005, Morocco became the largest
single recipient of aid from the EU. In 2008, the IMF congratulated
King Mohammed VI and Morocco on being a shining economic light in
the region, making particular mention of its steady and continued
economic growth.